Departament d’Interior i Seguretat Pública de Catalunya (2025) — “L’auge dels ‘caçadors de pedòfils’ i els riscos del vigilantisme digital” (“The rise of ‘paedophile-hunters’ and the risks of digital vigilantism”). Interior Gencat

Summary:

• Publisher: Dept. of Interior & Public Security of Catalonia. Interior Gencat
• Language: Catalan / Spanish / English. Interior Gencat
• Focus: The note examines the phenomenon of self-styled “pedophile hunters” in online spaces — citizen groups who pose as minors, lure suspected adults, record them, publish videos, etc. Interior Gencat
• Key concerns highlighted:
  • Legal and ethical risks (due-process, rights of accused, evidence admissibility)
  • Potential for violence or escalation when vigilante groups act outside official law enforcement
  • The challenge posed to official investigations: whether such citizen actions help or hinder policing and justice
• Practical note: It is short (2 pages) and framed as a “nota informativa” rather than full academic paper. Interior Gencat